The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to implement the welfare packages for teachers approved since 2020 by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking in Abuja on Sunday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), NUT National President, Comrade Audu Amba, lamented that five years after the Federal Government’s promise, the special salary structure and other incentives for teachers remain unfulfilled.
Amba emphasized that the non-implementation of these packages continues to negatively impact the morale, productivity, and overall well-being of teachers across the country. He urged both federal and state governments to ensure full implementation to boost teachers’ performance and commitment.
Among the incentives are a Special Salary Scale for teachers in basic and secondary education, a reintroduced bursary award for education students, a Special Teachers Pension Scheme to retain experienced professionals, and an extended retirement age of 65 years.
“There are so many incentives attached to it—housing units, science teacher allowances, and support for students studying education,” Amba said. “Our former President, Muhammadu Buhari, took a bold step to approve all these things. We have been writing and advocating, but none have been implemented.”
He appealed to President Tinubu to demonstrate the same bold leadership by following through with the implementation, adding, “Government is a continuum.”
Amba also commended teachers for their dedication and sacrifices, urging them to continue upholding the ideals of the profession despite prevailing challenges.
NAN recalled that during the 2020 World Teachers’ Day, the Buhari administration approved various benefits for teachers, including increased service years from 35 to 40, low-cost housing, special rural allowances, peculiar allowances for science teachers, automatic public school admission with free tuition for teachers’ children, and automatic employment for education graduates.
The packages also promised access to loans for agriculture, housing, and mobility, with the goal of motivating teachers and improving the quality of education delivery in Nigeria.
What you should know
The Nigeria Union of Teachers is urging President Tinubu to implement the teacher welfare packages approved by Buhari in 2020, including a special salary structure, pension scheme, and housing benefits. These incentives, aimed at improving teacher retention and motivation, have yet to be realized five years after approval.
